Rediscover the transformative power of walking as the hosts delve into its deep significance beyond mere transportation. They explore meditative walking, urban adventures, and how familiar paths can yield surprising revelations. The conversation touches on walking's philosophical roots and its role in self-discovery, inviting listeners to connect with nature. Insights into walking meditation reveal its ability to foster contemplation, blending the mystical with the mundane. Ultimately, it's a celebration of the art and joy of movement through both wild and urban spaces.
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Childhood Walk's Transformative Power
J.F. Martel recounts a childhood walk to buy Fangoria magazine that transformed from a simple errand into a surreal, cinematic experience.
Encountering a dead cat mid-walk shifted his perception, making the destination's allure feel empty upon arrival.
insights INSIGHT
Walking as Political Freedom
Walking can be a rare form of political resistance and personal freedom in modern life.
J.F. Martel compares walking's freedom to profound life events like falling in love and the birth of children.
insights INSIGHT
Walking Rejects Sporting Spirit
Walking is fundamentally non-competitive and contentless, resisting transformation into a sport despite market pressures.
Walking's essence lies in its rhythmic, simple act of moving one foot before the other without a measurable goal or winner.
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In 'A Philosophy of Walking,' Frédéric Gros delves into the profound act of walking as a means of self-discovery and philosophical inquiry. The book explores how walking allows individuals to reconnect with their thoughts, nature, and themselves. Gros draws upon the experiences and reflections of famous walkers and thinkers throughout history, such as Nietzsche, Rousseau, and Thoreau, to illustrate the transformative potential of this simple act. He emphasizes the importance of slowing down, disconnecting from technology, and embracing the present moment while walking. Through vivid descriptions and insightful analysis, Gros invites readers to reconsider their relationship with walking and discover its potential for intellectual and spiritual enrichment. The book ultimately celebrates walking as a path to freedom, creativity, and a deeper understanding of life.
Homo ludens
Johan Huizinga
In 'Homo Ludens,' Johan Huizinga argues that play is a fundamental element of human culture, essential for the generation of culture. He traces the contribution of play from ancient times through the Renaissance and into modern society, highlighting its role in law, science, philosophy, and the arts. Huizinga defines play against a rich theoretical background, using cross-cultural examples to illustrate its universal significance and its civilizing functions[2][3][5].
Walking
A subversive gesture
Erling Kagge
In this book, Erling Kagge reflects on the significance of walking as a natural accompaniment to creativity and a means to achieve mindfulness. He argues that walking is not just a physical activity but a sensory experience that involves both the body and the mind. Kagge discusses how walking brings us back to slower rhythms, harmonizes us with nature, and allows our subconscious to wander. The book is an homage to walking, highlighting its health benefits, its role in the lives of thinkers and creative people, and its ability to provide a unique perspective on the world.
Phil and JF first explored the mysteries of walking back in episode 59. That episode felt like a mere introduction—a tentative first step on a long and winding path. Now, 133 episodes later, they return to the theme as they prepare to lead a six-week course on the art of walking and its affinity with the Weird. This conversation touches on meditative walking, walking as dventure, psychogeography, wilderness mysticism, and more.
Weird Studies 
